Franconia Sculpture Park to dust off dance floor

As part of its summer-long music series, Franconia Sculpture Park will be hosting a World Music Festival Aug. 17 — and, yes, there is a dance floor just waiting for visitors to move to the international beats. The day’s line-up includes a variety of world ensembles, with the addition of popular Twin Cities bands “The Chalice” and “L’Assassins.”

First stop at noon: Brazil, with Mire and Tom Kehoe and Xibaba, a St. Paul duo known for their Brazilian-Jazz sound, ideal for both listening and dancing.

Next, at 2:30 p.m., gear up for some drumming in the exciting Taiko performance by Minneapolis’s own Mu Daiko of the Mu Performing Arts Center. Taiko drumming is a dynamic art form born from ancient traditions in Japan that has now evolved into its own unique style in North America.

At 4:30 p.m., experience a duo based on traditional Cuban music with influences of modern pop, Cuban salsa, bachata and cumbia. Viviana Pintado and Q-Band wrap up the world music set with powerful Cuban music.

Undaunted by the rain check from the June 15 concert, L’Assassins and The Chalice will return to Franconia to cap off the evening. At 6 p.m., L’Assassins: self-described vixen rockers who snarl their way through the roots of garage rock & female angst. At 8:00, The Chalice: a blend of hip-hop, funk, pop, RnB, and yet genre and boundary-less.

Food and drink available for purchase at the Lizard Lounge in the park, guided tours of the exhibition during breaks, and parking is $5.